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LONDON: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday (Nov. 2) defended a second COVID shutdown in England from critics who said it was unnecessary and others who said it was too late, arguing that now was the time to prevent a “medical and moral disaster”. .
After rejecting calls last month for a new national lockdown, Johnson took a 180-degree turn on Saturday, announcing that the new restrictions in England would begin at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday and last until December 2.
Britain, which has the highest official COVID-19 death toll in Europe, is dealing with more than 20,000 new cases a day. Scientists have warned that the worst case scenario of 80,000 deaths could be exceeded this winter.
But the British prime minister has come under fire from all sides for his radical change, from those in his Conservative Party who view the measures as draconian to others who have long been urging the government to introduce a national blockade.
“We are fighting a disease … When the data changes, of course we must also change course,” he told parliament, explaining to lawmakers that action was necessary to avoid a “medical and moral disaster” when hospitals could be invaded.
Defending his previous measures to try to limit lockdown measures to those areas suffering the highest infection rates, he said he had not been too slow to react as the number of cases skyrocketed in England.
“In fact, we are moving towards national measures when the rate of both deaths and infections, for example, is lower than in France,” he said.
A woman walks past a store on Oxford Street, after new nationwide restrictions were announced during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in London, UK, on November 1, 2020 (Photo: REUTERS / Peter Nicholls).
Saturday’s announcement is subject to a vote Wednesday that will expose Johnson to a rebellion by Conservative Party lawmakers who reject the need for a national lockdown.
Some conservatives fear that the long-term economic damage caused by the lockdown outweighs the health risks of allowing businesses to stay open, and that there are greater risks to mental health and an erosion of civil liberties from the lockdowns.
But to soften the blow, he said he would double support for the self-employed and said that when the measures expire on December 2, lawmakers will vote on the way forward.
Britain has reported 46,717 deaths from COVID-19, defined as those who die within 28 days of a positive test. A broader measure of those with COVID-19 on their death certificates puts the number of victims at 58,925.
England’s essential shops, schools and universities will remain open, but pubs and restaurants will be closed except for takeaways. International outbound travel is prohibited except for essential reasons, including work and non-essential retail closing.
The opposition Labor Party has offered its support for the government, meaning there is little chance that Johnson will lose the parliamentary vote. But after Johnson rejected Labor’s call for a lockout, his votes will come with strong criticism.
“To reject the advice of his own scientists for 40 days was a catastrophic failure of leadership and judgment,” said Labor leader Keir Starmer.
The rest of the UK – Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – have their own lockdown policies and enacted tougher health restrictions last month.
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